# Thengai Srinivasan

Thengai Srinivasan (21 October 1937 – 9 November 1987) was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil-language films and plays from the 1960s to the 1980s. He was given the prefix Thengai (coconut) after his role as a coconut-seller in the play Kal Manam. Although originally a comedian, he also performed in other genres and enacted several lead and antagonistic roles.

## Early life

Srinivasan was born to Rajavel Mudaliar (Chennai) and Subammal (Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district) on 21 October 1937. He had two sisters. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Chennai. Srinivasan's father was an artist who staged several plays and it was his influence which stimulated Srinivasan's interest in an acting career.
After school, Srinivasan joined the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and later started his theatrical career in the Railway Dramatic Club. Srinivasan's first stage appearance was in his father's drama Galatta Kalyanam. Srinivasan was also part of the troupe of K. Kannan and portrayed a coconut vendor in one of his plays Kal Manam. Comedian K. A. Thangavelu upon watching the play, announced he should be called Thengai (coconut) Srinivasan thereafter.

## Career

Srinivasan's first feature film was the mystery thriller Oru Viral in 1965. The film, which saw him playing a detective, was a financial success. Srinivasan was, however, supposed to make his feature film debut in Iravum Pagalum (1965) that marked the acting debut of Jaishankar, but was dropped after distributors raised concerns about two newcomers being featured in the lead roles. He and Jaishankar nonetheless would become close friends later and Srinivasan was featured in almost 80 per cent of Jaishankar's early films.
For the most part, Srinivasan enacted the role of a comedian or a sidekick. Notable roles in his subsequent career include that of a fake Swami and that of an idealistic industrialist in the cult comedy films Kasethan Kadavulada and Thillu Mullu, respectively. In 2013, Forbes India included his performance in Thillu Mullu, along with that of Rajinikanth in the same film, in its list of the "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Srinivasan also played antagonistic roles; one of which was that of a blackmailing photographer in S. P. Muthuraman's Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu.
He played the lead in Vaali's play Sri Krishna Vijayam, which was later made into a feature film named Kaliyuga Kannan. The makers originally intended to cast Sivaji Ganesan in the role, but Ganesan, being impressed by Srinivasan's performance in the play, suggested that Srinivasan should be retained for the film version. Kaliyuga Kannan went on to become a high commercial success and is considered one of Srinivasan's most notable films. Other films featuring Srinivasan in the lead role were Nandri Karangal, Sri Ramajayam, Porter Ponnusami and Adukku Malli, which was a box office success. In 1987, Srinivasan produced the film Krishnan Vandhaan with Sivaji Ganesan in the lead. The film did not fare well and got him into deep financial trouble.

## Death

When Srinivasan went to Bangalore, Karnataka to attend the rituals following his aunt's death, he suffered a brain haemorrhage. Despite intensive treatment, he died on 9 November 1987. His body was brought to his house at Ramasamy Street in Gopalapuram, Chennai. His death was marked by tributes from film fans and industry insiders alike.

## Personal life

Srinivasan was married to Lakshmi. The couple have two daughters – Geethalakshmi and Rajeshwari – and a son, Shivshankar. Geethalakshmi's son Yogi has acted in films such as Azhagiya Asura (2006) and Sivi (2007), and Shivshankar's daughter Shrutika also appeared in a few Tamil films during the 2000s. Shivshankar's son Adithya Shivpink is also an actor, having starred in films featuring Rajinikanth since 2018.

## Filmography

This is a partial filmography.

### 1960s

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1965 | Oru Viral | CID officer |
| 1966 | Vallavan Oruvan | |
| 1967 | Kadhalithal Podhuma | |
| 1967 | Raja Veetu Pillai | Singaram |
| 1967 | Sabash Thambi | |
| 1967 | Ethirigal Jakkirathai | |
| 1968 | Ethir Neechal | |
| 1968 | Muthu Chippi | |
| 1968 | Oli Vilakku | |
| 1968 | Moondrezhuthu | |
| 1968 | Kannan En Kadhalan | |
| 1969 | Naangu Killadigal | |
| 1969 | Nirai Kudam | |
| 1969 | Akka Thangai | |
| 1969 | Kanne Pappa | |
| 1969 | Kuzhandai Ullam | |
| 1969 | Sivandha Mann | |
| 1969 | Aindhu Laksham | |
| 1969 | Nam Naadu | Kuppuswamy |

### 1970s

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1970 | Maanavan | Mayandi | |
| 1970 | En Annan | | |
| 1970 | Paadhukaappu | | |
| 1970 | Engal Thangam | | |
| 1970 | Namma Veetu Deivam | | |
| 1970 | Penn Deivam | | |
| 1970 | Engirundho Vandhaal | | |
| 1970 | Enga Mama | Fatafat Sankar | |
| 1970 | Anadhai Anandhan | | |
| 1970 | CID Shankar | | |
| 1971 | Meendum Vazhven | | |
| 1971 | Rickshawkaran | | |
| 1971 | Annai Velankanni | | |
| 1971 | Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa | Dr. Swaminathan | |
| 1971 | Sumathi En Sundari | | |
| 1971 | Justice Viswanathan | | |
| 1971 | Then Kinnam | | |
| 1971 | Neerum Neruppum | | |
| 1971 | Arunodhayam | | |
| 1972 | Kasethan Kadavulada | Appaswamy | |
| 1972 | Naan Yen Pirandhen | | |
| 1972 | Velli Vizha | | |
| 1972 | Mappillai Azhaippu | | |
| 1972 | Jakkamma | | |
| 1972 | Karunthel Kannayiram | | |
| 1972 | Pillaiyo Pillai | | |
| 1972 | Kadhalikka Vanga | | |
| 1972 | Nalla Neram | | |
| 1972 | Pillaiyo Pillai | | |
| 1972 | Dheivam | | |
| 1973 | Baghdad Perazhagi | | |
| 1973 | Vakkuruthi | | |
| 1973 | Pattikaattu Ponnaiya | | |
| 1973 | Alaigal | | |
| 1973 | Komatha En Kulamatha | | |
| 1973 | Kasi Yathirai | | |
| 1973 | Thedi Vandha Lakshmi | | |
| 1973 | Ulagam Sutrum Valiban | | |
| 1973 | Maru Piravi | | |
| 1973 | Deivakulanthaigal | | |
| 1973 | School Master | | |
| 1973 | Pookkari | | |
| 1973 | Kattila Thottila | | |
| 1973 | Ponvandu | | |
| 1973 | Amman Arul | | |
| 1973 | Manipayal | | |
| 1974 | Kaliyuga Kannan | Sambu Iyer | |
| 1974 | Kai Niraya Kaasu | | |
| 1974 | Prayaschitham | | |
| 1974 | Athaiya Mamiya | | |
| 1974 | Thaai Piranthal | | |
| 1974 | Roshakari | | |
| 1974 | Doctoramma | | |
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | | |
| 1974 | Engamma Sapatham | | |
| 1974 | Panathukkaga | | |
| 1974 | Vairam | | |
| 1974 | Sirithu Vazha Vendum | | |
| 1974 | Netru Indru Naalai | Dayalan | |
| 1974 | Ungal Viruppam | | |
| 1974 | Avalum Penn Thaane | | |
| 1974 | Ippadiyum Oru Penn | | |
| 1975 | Pallandu Vazhga | | |
| 1975 | Idhayakkani | | |
| 1975 | Pattikkaattu Raja | 'Meyvakku' Meganathan | |
| 1975 | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | | |
| 1975 | Thangathile Vairam | | |
| 1975 | Thiruvarul | | |
| 1975 | Enga Pattan Sothu | | |
| 1975 | Andharangam | | |
| 1975 | Uravukku Kai Koduppom | | |
| 1975 | Karotti Kannan | | |
| 1975 | Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu | | |
| 1975 | Aayirathil Oruthi | Kabalishwaran | |
| 1976 | Annakili | | |
| 1976 | Lalitha | | |
| 1976 | Mayor Meenakshi | | |
| 1976 | Akka | | |
| 1976 | Uzhaikkum Karangal | | |
| 1976 | Dasavatharam | | |
| 1976 | Athirshtam Azhaikkirathu | | |
| 1976 | Kumara Vijayam | | |
| 1976 | Nee Oru Maharani | | |
| 1976 | Kaalangalil Aval Vasantham | | |
| 1976 | Muthana Muthallavo | | |
| 1976 | Mayor Meenakshi | | |
| 1976 | Bhadrakali | | |
| 1976 | Needhikku Thalaivanangu | | |
| 1977 | Aattukara Alamelu | | |
| 1977 | Aasai Manaivi | | |
| 1977 | Uyarndhavargal | | |
| 1977 | Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga | | |
| 1977 | Meenava Nanban | | |
| 1977 | Chakravarthy | | |
| 1977 | Murugan Adimai | | |
| 1977 | Avar Enakke Sontham | | |
| 1977 | Navarathinam | | |
| 1977 | Aadu Puli Attam | | |
| 1977 | Palabishegham | | |
| 1978 | Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan | | |
| 1978 | Vaazha Ninaiththaal Vaazhalaam | | |
| 1978 | Shri Kanchi Kamakshi | Devotee | |
| 1978 | Thyagam | | |
| 1978 | General Chakravarthi | | |
| 1978 | Varuvan Vadivelan | | |
| 1978 | Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral | | |
| 1978 | Vaazhkai Alaigal | | |
| 1978 | Andaman Kadhali | | |
| 1978 | Sadhurangam | | |
| 1978 | Ullathil Kuzhanthaiyadi | | |
| 1978 | Rudhra Thaandavam | | |
| 1978 | Thanga Rangan | | |
| 1978 | Vattathukkul Chaduram | | |
| 1978 | Pilot Premnath | | |
| 1978 | Sakka Podu Podu Raja | | |
| 1978 | Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye | | |
| 1978 | Justice Gopinath | Bhadrachalam | |
| 1978 | Sonnadhu Nee Thanaa | | |
| 1978 | Priya | | Simultaneously shot in Tamil and Kannada film |
| 1978 | Kaatrinile Varum Geetham | | |
| 1979 | Annai Oru Aalayam |
| 1979 | Dharma Yuddham | Robert | |
| 1979 | Anbae Sangeetha | | |
| 1979 | Thaayillamal Naan Illai | | |
| 1979 | Kavari Maan | Vasu | |
| 1979 | Kalyanaraman | Kittu | |
| 1979 | Porter Ponnusami | | |
| 1979 | Thirisoolam | | |
| 1979 | Nallathoru Kudumbam | | |
| 1979 | Naan Vazhavaippen | | |
| 1979 | Pattakkathi Bhairavan | | |
| 1979 | Imayam | | |
| 1979 | Vetrikku Oruvan | | |
| 1979 | Gnana Kuzhandhai | | |
| 1979 | Sri Ramajayam | | |
| 1979 | Aarilirindhu Aruvathu Varai | | |
| 1979 | Neela Malargal | Kathavarayan Pillai | |

### 1980s

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | Billa | J.J | |
| 1980 | Anbukku Naan Adimai | | |
| 1980 | Soolam | | |
| 1980 | Rishi Moolam | | |
| 1980 | Ratha Paasam | | |
| 1980 | Vishwaroopam | | |
| 1980 | Dharma Raja | | |
| 1980 | Jamboo | | |
| 1980 | Yamanukku Yaman | Chitragupta | |
| 1980 | Devi Dharisanam | | |
| 1980 | Avan Aval Adhu | | |
| 1980 | Maria My Darling | | |
| 1980 | Varumayin Niram Sivappu | Rangan | |
| 1981 | Thee | | |
| 1981 | Meendum Kokila | Nattuvanar | |
| 1981 | Ram Lakshman | | |
| 1981 | Ellam Inba Mayyam | | |
| 1981 | Bala Nagamma | | |
| 1981 | Savaal | | |
| 1981 | Dhairya Lakshmi | | Kannada film |
| 1981 | Kadal Meengal | | |
| 1981 | Garjanai | | |
| 1981 | Kalthoon | | |
| 1981 | Kazhugu | | |
| 1981 | Thillu Mullu | Sri Ramachandramurthy | |
| 1981 | Tik Tik Tik | Lakshmi Narayanan | |
| 1981 | Ellam Inba Mayyam | | |
| 1982 | Auto Raja | | |
| 1982 | Azhagiya Kanne | | |
| 1982 | Ranga | | |
| 1982 | Kanne Radha | | |
| 1982 | Oorukku Oru Pillai | | |
| 1982 | Puthukavithai | | |
| 1982 | Nandri, Meendum Varuga | | |
| 1982 | Adhisayappiravigal | | |
| 1982 | Oorum Uravum | | |
| 1982 | Vasandhathil Or Naal | | |
| 1982 | Mul Illatha Roja | | |
| 1982 | Paritchaikku Neramaachu | | |
| 1982 | Thaai Mookaambikai | | |
| 1982 | Sakalakala Vallavan | Sundaram | |
| 1982 | Rani Theni | Thulasilingum | |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | | |
| 1982 | Moondru Mugam | Ramanathan | |
| 1983 | Saranalayam | | |
| 1983 | Thai Veedu | | |
| 1983 | Miruthanga Chakravarthi | | |
| 1983 | Indru Nee Nalai Naan | | |
| 1983 | Sivappu Sooriyan | | |
| 1983 | Apoorva Sahodarigal | | |
| 1983 | Thanga Magan | | |
| 1984 | Nooravathu Naal | | |
| 1984 | Nalla Naal | | |
| 1984 | Thiruppam | | |
| 1984 | Komberi Mookan | | |
| 1984 | Chiranjeevi | | |
| 1984 | Alaya Deepam | | |
| 1984 | Vaazhkai | | |
| 1984 | Kai Kodukkum Kai | | |
| 1984 | Osai | | |
| 1984 | Neengal Kettavai | | |
| 1984 | Ezhuthatha Sattangal | | |
| 1984 | Ninaivugal | | |
| 1984 | Kuva Kuva Vaathugal | | |
| 1984 | Sarithira Nayagan | | |
| 1985 | Chain Jayapal | | |
| 1985 | Kaakki Sattai | | |
| 1985 | Arthamulla Aasaigal | | |
| 1985 | Udaya Geetham | | |
| 1985 | Deivapiravi | | |
| 1985 | Aduthathu Albert | | |
| 1985 | Thendrale Ennai Thodu | | |
| 1985 | Andha Oru Nimidam | | |
| 1985 | Unnai Thedi Varuven | | |
| 1985 | Anthasthu | | |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendrar | | |
| 1985 | Padikkadavan | | |
| 1985 | Pillai Nila | | |
| 1985 | Chain Jayapal | | |
| 1986 | Yaaro Ezhuthiya Kavithai | | |
| 1986 | Naan Adimai Illai | | |
| 1986 | Viduthalai | | |
| 1986 | Mandhira Punnagai | | |
| 1986 | Oomai Vizhigal | | |
| 1986 | Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal | | |
| 1986 | Kulirkaala Megangal | | |
| 1986 | Kodai Mazhai | | |
| 1986 | Anandha Kanneer | | |
| 1986 | Dharma Devathai | | |
| 1986 | Maaveeran | Drama head | Guest Appearance |
| 1987 | Paruva Ragam | | |
| 1987 | Rettai Vaal Kuruvi | | |
| 1987 | Muthukkal Moondru | | |
| 1987 | Krishnan Vandhaan | | |